Nearly 8 million people, mostly migrants from the eastern state of Odisha...work on 600,000 power looms in the Western city of Surat in conditions that damage their hearing and often ruin their health...While the workers said they choose to work here due to a lack of jobs at home, campaigners also suspect that some are trafficked across India...Textile weavers are exposed to around 102-104 decibels of sound according to a study by India's National Institute of Occupational Health, much more than the legally permissible 90 decibels and putting them at severe risk of hearing damage...Sanjay Patel of migrant labour rights group Aajeevika Bureau said...Those working here for 10 to 12 years are not able to hear well. Many are unable to work beyond the age of 45, and return to their villages....Patel said that many mill units do not fulfil basic safety guidelines such as giving out ear plugs. Most units register as shops or other establishments rather than factories, which would mandate them to limit exposure to high noise levels to eight hours and pay extra for overtime.